Miguel Tejada almost took my head off with this ball. On Thursday, I'm giving it away.
Through my years as a reporter for MLB.com, I always claimed -- only half-jokingly -- that if a foul ball was ever headed in my direction in the press box, my priorities would be, in order: 1) my computer; and 2) my face. The logic was simple: my face will heal. Without my computer, I cannot do my job, and therefore, I'm useless.
I've had some close calls over the years, but none as close as the one I encountered this year when the Astros were playing the Dodgers in Los Angeles, just after the All-Star break. Miguel Tejada fouled off a ball that spiraled at a high rate of speed -- right toward me. I was looking at my computer screen at the time, so my reaction was slightly delayed. The ball bounced onto a ledge, just in front of my computer, and rattled around a bit. I finally picked it up off the floor and proudly held it up, pretending that I caught it on the fly.
(I was somewhat surprised at my initial reaction -- I totally abandoned the "computer first" theory and focused on not being pummeled. So much for that.)
Anyhoo, I carried the ball around with me for a couple of months and at the end of the season, I decided to ask Miggy to sign it, with the intention of giving it away. And now, I'm ready to do just that.
I'm going to be at Lucky's Pub this Thursday (Oct. 29) watching Game 2 of the World Series, and, with the help of my buddy Sean Pendergast, I'm going to raffle off the Tejada ball.
I've really enjoyed the communication with a lot of you through Facebook and Twitter and my blog, but now I propose some real face time. I'm hoping you'll come out to Lucky's to watch the World Series and, if you're so inclined, talk a little Astros baseball. Feel free to ask questions, talk about the team, vent, complain, laugh, cry, scream...just don't throw things at me.
I'll be at Lucky's (801 St. Emanuel St., approximately four blocks from Minute Maid Park) at 6:30 CT and will hand out raffle tickets for the Tejada ball, which we'll give away later in the evening, during the game. There is no cost for this "Astros Night Out," other than your bar tab. No strings attached. No loopholes. Just a fun night out to watch and talk about baseball, and win free stuff.
Hope to see you there!
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Questions? Send to afooter@astros.com
Unfair! I live in Denton. One thing, a true fan sacrifices his body, but not his beer, for a foul ball. When I was 4 or 5 years old, my Dad soaked his hand in ice for 3 days after catching a Doug Rader foul ball. It sits on a bookshelf in his living room to this day. As kids, we were instructed to throw it through a window should the house catch on fire.
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A line drive to the face is no joke, was probably a good idea to dodge it!
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i'm glad you saved your beautiful face :D
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